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"Don't I know it. And it's quiet here. There's road noise, but with the air conditioner on, I don't notice."
"You've done a great job, finding this."
"William brought it up to me."
"Still..."
"Do you want to meet Erin?"
Mom shook her head. "I don't want to bother her, dear."
Ryan knew she was curious; she was being polite. "Let me see if she's busy." He fired off a quick text message and got one back immediately.
"Come on, she’s home." He escorted Mom out, locked up, and led her to Erin's house. It was hot, but she wanted to walk, so they walked. Good thing Mom didn't believe in high heels.
She peered around the whole way and caught her breath when Erin's house appeared. "What a lovely home."
Ryan smiled. "Wait until you see the inside."
After he knocked, Erin answered the door, and even with his mom right there, the surge of attraction stunned Ryan. She wore another tank top, yellow this time, with khaki shorts, and it all fit her like a glove. "Mom, this is Erin Moore. Erin, this is my mom, Katie Walsh."
"Nice to meet you, Erin." They shook hands and smiled at each other. Erin offered a tour, while Ryan got her iced tea.
Erin showed Mom the entire house, including the master suite he hadn't seen—yet. When they came down the stairs, they were laughing.
"Erin, what made you think of this business, and how did you become a mechanic in the first place?"
He'd heard the story before, so Ryan tuned out and watched the two of them. They were getting along fine with none of the awkwardness of last night's fun with Erin's mother. He shuddered reflexively, remembering how nasty that woman acted. What made someone go that bad? Abruptly, he came back to the conversation in front of him; Mom was saying goodbye. Probably a long, drawn-out goodbye, but he'd better pay attention.
"Thank you for the iced tea and for the very good care you're taking of my boy." Mom smiled at Erin, clearly meaning every word.
Erin laughed. "Ryan's the one helping me, not the other way around. He's the best worker I've had. He's studied how to make espresso better, and the customers love him."
Ryan snorted. "They love my espresso."
Erin rolled her eyes. "No, no, no. Those women all love you. I’ve had to tell enough of them ‘look, don’t touch’ that it’s getting old." She pointed a finger at him. "They love you."
Ryan's cheeks heated, and he couldn't say a word.
"Next, you'll have to learn how to pour the milk in the lattes so it makes a heart." Mom held up her hands, making a heart. "Then you'll have every woman in town out here, not just the blue-haired set."
Ryan groaned and closed his eyes. "That's all I need. A bunch of teenage girls cooing over me putting hearts in their cups."
Both women laughed. "I doubt it will be the teenagers, dear. For one, you don't work the right hours." Mom shook her head slowly, a put-on look of despair. "No, I'm going to guess it's the cougars who will be after you. They'll be moving their meetings out here, you wait and see."
Erin chuckled. "I bet you're right. Good for me, those women spend a lot of money."
Ryan groaned again. They were trying to embarrass him, and it was working.
Mom stood. "Thanks again for taking good care of my boy."
"Ryan is taking care of me more than the other way around. He's got a protective streak a mile wide."
Mom beamed proudly at both of them and walked to the door. "Yes, he does. It's good to know he's using it for the right person. Thanks again."
"Drop by anytime. Ryan's a lucky guy to have you."
They walked back to the car; the sun beat down, reminding him of the desert. The lack of explosions made it far more bearable. He opened the door for Mom and started the car to kick on the air conditioner as soon as possible. "We should have driven over there. It's way too hot."
